San Diego's future skyline?

The NewSchool of Architecture and Design’s Class of 2013 went global and under the sea in their senior thesis projects on display earlier this month at the downtown institution in East Village. Of course, many used San Diego as their learning laboratory in trying out their projects in a local context.

Michael J. Marable proposes "Submergia," a multilevel underwater platform for living, working and vacationing in off the coast of California.- Roger Showley

Michael J. Marable proposes "Submergia," a multilevel underwater platform for living, working and vacationing in off the coast of California.

Ideas ranged from the practical to the wild and crazy — perhaps the most outlandish and inspired of which was “Submergia” by Michael J. Marable. He proposes a submerged marine research, residential and hotel complex that, if duplicated up and down the coast, could relieve the pressure off urban neighborhoods and take advantage of the sea as a place to live, work and play.

NewSchool President Steve Altman described the projects as “more comprehensive and complex” than ever before.

“It was good to see the attention focused on issues in and around San Diego and the region and the way the students were really trying to understand their environment and use their skills and what they’ve learned to improve the region,” Altman said.

The many projects set abroad reflect another growing aspect of the school, Altman said — the presence of more foreign students and increased exposure students have gained in travel abroad. About a third of the nearly 600 students have had some international experience.

“I think that’s a growing part of who we are and will continue to increase as we further our collaborations with our partners in the Laureate network,” Altman said.

NewSchool is owned by Laureate, a for-profit education company based in Baltimore than owns 70 campuses enrolling 780,000 students in 29 countries. Founded in 1980 in Chula Vista, NewSchool moved to downtown in 1988 and was acquired by Laureate in 2008.

Here are four examples of not-so-crazy ideas from some of the graduates. One actually has a chance of becoming reality later this year. We've also added a bit more information on "Submergia."

Chris Ennis thinks the redevelopment of the Navy Broadway Complex on the downtown waterfront is missing something — a beach. He proposes to dredge a stretch of Harbor Drive south of the Midway aircraft carrier museum, create a beach and allow kayaks, paddle boards and other nonmotorized craft to ply this new mini-waterway. “Water is a huge part of San Diego culture,” Ennis said, “and downtown is the one of the few places where residents will actually have a chance to go down and access it like they can at beaches and other places.”

From his thesis: “This project explores options for a waterfront park and accompanying buildings, including a city hall, office tower, culture center, two office towers and a midrise live-work, mixed-use residential complex of five buildings with a sixth low-rise restaurant building.”

Ennis, 27, of Bakersfield, who earned his master's at NewSchool, previously received his B.A. in business at Cal State Bakersfield. Last summer he participated in a Danish international study abroad program in Copenhagen. He plans to pursue a career in architecture. Follow him at his blog, chrisennisdesigns.com.